Blockchain as ‘techQuity’: How tech solutions have the power to help the homeless

Medical Xpress May 3, 2021
by University of Texas at Austin

For people experiencing homelessness, missing proof of identity can be a major barrier to receiving critical services, from housing to food assistance to health care. Physical documents such as driver’s licenses are highly susceptible to loss, theft or damage. However, researchers from Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin say new technology solutions such as blockchain can be used to keep important health care information secure and portable.

“Health care institutions and social services are so fragmented and siloed they’re unable to accurately collect, share or verify basic identity information about a person experiencing homelessness,” said Tim Mercer, M.D., MPH, director of the Global Health Program in the Department of Population Health at Dell Med and co-author...

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